By Design - Fall 2015

15 / 26

First Links program provides
cost-free evaluation by
ASGCA member
The ASGCA Foundation/USGA
First Links program was created
for golf course owners/operators
interested in reconfiguring their
layouts and/or devoting open land
to smaller scale facilities to allow
new players to ease into the game.
First Links provides grants—more
than two dozen thus far—to
applicants to pay for visits by
ASGCA members to evaluate golf
facilities for their potential to develop
a short course or practice area, or
to otherwise modify their existing
layouts to welcome new players.
ASGCA member consultants follow
up their one-day visits with a site
evaluation report describing ideas for
layout or open land reconfiguration.
Complete information is available
at
Supporting Education in the Golf Course Industry
ASGCA thanks the following companies for their continued support of golf course development and
renovation – helping ASGCA members do their jobs better, for the good of the game.
ASGCA Leadership Partners
Major Level Partners
Merit Level Partners
practice area
can now
accommodate
more than 90
players when
using both ends of
the 330-yard range
area,” says Richardson.
Among the most
innovative additions was
The Village Green putting
course. This special event area
is used for corporate outings,
weddings and overflow resort
dining. The centerpiece is a large
Tee Pee that houses a bar and grill.
“What was once a money loser in
terms of practice amenities, grew to
more than $350,000 in new annual
revenues from the combined range, golf
school and event area.” adds Richardson.
Schaupeter’s work at Plum Creek
has also contributed to rising club
revenues. The club’s golf manager
and head professional Ken Holubec
explains: “Our range revenue has
increased by 40 percent, junior camps
and clinics have tripled, and we were
able to attract Texas State University
to use the club as their home course,”
he says. “Without question we’re
growing the game, with more dads and
moms coming out with their kids to
practice and play. Golf outings have
increased by 12 percent, and our player
development program, non-existent in
2012, now has 130 members.”
The new facilities at Tupelo CC have
also driven participation. “A number
of new members at the club have
mentioned that the practice facility
and short course were the determining
factor in their decision to choose the
club over the competition and the
existing members are proud to show
it off to their guests,” says Crace. “The
facility is used heavily by members,
new members have joined because of
the facilities, and juniors are making
use of the short course daily, both with
their families and on their own.” •
An ASGCA architect can reconfigure
your club’s practice facilities to help drive
participation growth. To find an architect in
your area, visit